The telethon transmission of Geo TV (that lasted for three-and-a-half hours) with Indian film star Amir Khan and Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan made a great contribution for the cause of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, raising a total of Rs 80 million.

The two chief guests-Amir Khan and Imran Khan-discussed important issues at this unique programme, and a number of people from different countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Dubai, made phone calls and paid glowing tributes to Amir Khan and Imran Khan for their devotion to the cause of treating cancer patients. These telephone callers announced their donations for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital.

Forget the behind-the-scenes drama, the Zee Cine Awards in Dubai last weekend truly rocked. More than anything else, it made a genuine effort to cement the Indo-Pak relations further, which have been on an upswing in the recent times. Simply put, Bollywood and Lollywood were akin to the ambassadors of peace that night.

Hosting a majestic show not in India, not in Pakistan, but in a third country (Dubai, U.A.E.) and assembling the biggies of Bollywood (Big B, Dharmendra, SRK, the Roshans, Preity Zinta, Urmila, Sushmita Sen, Saif Ali Khan, Randhir and Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapur, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi) and Lollywood (Reema, Resham, Jawed Sheikh, Umar Sharif) was an effort in the right direction and the management of Zee deserves bouquets for it.

Last year, the Pakistan pavilion won the Best Cultural Activities award during DSF. For the 10th anniversary of the DSF this year, the organisers have lined up a spectacular calendar of events that presents every aspect of the country’s cultural heritage. A number of star-studded cultural and musical shows have been scheduled throughout the DSF and will be presented at the Global Village and at other festival venues. Well-known Pakistani actor and comedian, Umer Sharif and popular actress Noor will inaugurate the cultural activities at the Pakistan pavilion with a live performance on Thursday (January 20) at 8.30pm. The show, free for all visitors, is organised by the Consulate General of Pakistan in association with Spotlight FZ LLC.

More than 30 big filmmakers of Lollywood will join bollywood star in Mumbai on March 15th attending the Frames 2004. This global convention is being organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the entertainment sector. Most of the Bollywood’s entertainment majors will participate in it, Meera, Shaan and Umer Sharif and actor-director Javed Sheikh comprise the Pak team.